Radiologic Examination of High Riding Vertebral Artery and Analysis of Secure Areas

OBJECTIVE: To radiologically examine the pedicle, ina, and vertebral artery foraminal anatomies at the vertebra for pedicular and laminar screw instrumentation at the axis in a Turkish population. METHODS: From 2018 to 2019, we evaluated 100 patients who underwent cervical computed tomography (CT) various reasons (excluding cervical pathologies) at mara University Hospital. The C2 pedicles were measured on CT images using measurement tools. In addition, computed tomography was performed at 0.1 mm intervals. Bilateral measurements were performed for each case. RESULTS: The median right and left pedicle axial ameters were 5.01 and 5.09 mm, respectively for the patients and 4.31 and 4.38 mm for the female patients, showing a statistically significant difference between sexes ( P < 0.01). Of the patients, 15% had narrow pedicles. The pedicle sagittal diameters were smaller than 5 mm 30% of the computed tomographic series. The internal height was <2 mm in 4% of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest significant vidual and sex -related differences. Vertebral artery groove anomalies are commonly observed. Before performing posterior craniocervical instrumentation surgery, computed tomography (CT) examination is beneficial because high -riding vertebral arteries must be kept in in determining the appropriate screw diameter and screw trajectory.